Translated by Nick R
We don’t really know much about rabbits until we decide to have one. Just like other pets, rabbits need specific care to maintain a healthy life quality.
Here is a basic guide on what you must know to make your new family member happy, so read on.
Table of Contents
1. How to feed a rabbit?
Of course one of the most important points when looking after a rabbit is feeding it. They are not like a cat or a dog, their diet is based mainly on hay and a minor amount of fruits and vegetables, although the following must be taken into account:
First of all, if they are still breastfeeding, it’s important that their mother continues feeding them, or if for some reason the bunny’s mother is not present, you should ask your veterinarian what milk he/she recommends for rabbits.
On the other hand, if the weaning period is over, you should feed your rabbit with:
Hay
Most of their diet( 70 to 80%) is based on fresh hay; there are different types of hay and different flavors. Besides, this food helps them to have good intestinal function and to wear down their teeth. For this reason, it must always be available.
Vegetables and fruits
Vegetables make up 10% of the rabbits’ diet (these rations should not be more than 10% of the rabbit’s body weight).
Fruits are served in smaller quantities, around 2%, and they are more like a prize or a snack for the rabbit, so it is better to give them only 1 or 2 times a week in small quantities.
Vegetables
- Alfalfa.
- Lettuce (not iceberg lettuce).
- Carrot leaves (the whole carrot is not advisable since it would be too much sugar).
- Radish leaves.
- Zucchini.
- Broccoli (in small quantities).
- Clover.
- Spinach.
- Cucumber (in small quantities).
Fruits
- Apple.
- Mango.
- Peach.
- Papaya.
- Pear.
Concentrate or feed
This one has to be a specific feed for pet rabbits, so you can ask your veterinarian which one he/she recommends. The concentrate will constitute 6% of your pet’s diet.
Water
Obviously, no living creature can ever lack water, so your pet must always have fresh water available.
2. Visiting the vet with a rabbit
It’s recommended to take your new pet for an initial check-up to make sure it’s in good health. The veterinarian must be specialized in exotic animals so that your rabbit has the best attention from a professional in this kind of animal.
On the other hand, as with other pets, they should be taken at least twice a year to the veterinarian for a check-up and also, always go to these health centers in case you detect any sign of disease.
Rabbit Vaccination Schedule
In addition, you must have your rabbit’s vaccination schedule up to date. Rabbits are vaccinated from 2 months of age and then annually. There are mandatory and non-mandatory vaccinations, but this will depend on the country where you live since there may be more probability of contracting a certain disease than in another.
On the other hand, the most important vaccines your rabbit should have are:
- Myxomatosis vaccine: it protects the animal from contracting the disease called “myxomatosis”, which is very contagious and highly mortal.
- Hemorrhagic fever vaccine: it protects against viral hemorrhage, which is also very contagious and can kill your pet in a few days, since it produces bleeding in the internal organs.
Note: both diseases have a mortality rate of almost 100% depending on the strain, so these vaccines are a must for your rabbit to enjoy good health.
3. Rabbit hygiene
Hygiene is essential to avoid diseases or infections for your pet.
Brushing
You should brush your rabbit daily. Brushing removes dead hair, prevents it from tangling, and gives it a beautiful and shiny coat.
Also, if not brushed often, your rabbit could grow hairballs in the stomach; when they lick themselves, they swallow the dead hair which can cause intestinal problems.
Bathing your rabbit?
Don’t bathe your rabbit! These animals are very clean (like cats) and keep grooming themselves so they don’t normally need a bath. On the other hand, bathing them can cause stress and even damage the natural barriers that protect their skin given that they are delicate.
In an extreme case in which your rabbit is very dirty and really needs a bath, you need to keep in mind that you must always get special rabbit products. Human or other animal shampoos can be toxic and irritating for rabbits.
Also, it’s recommended to dry bathe them instead of using water. You can do it with special scented powders for rabbits.
Trimming your rabbit’s nails?
Yes, rabbits’ nails must be trimmed every 4 to 5 weeks, depending on how fast they grow, as they could get tangled somewhere and hurt your pet, or he might even scratch you if they are too long.
So, how do you know if it is time to cut your pet’s nails? You have to check them continuously; if you notice that they are curling or that they make a clicking noise when your pet is walking, you have to cut them.
To cut them you need a special rabbit nail clipper and watch out for the vein that is inside the nail because cutting it could hurt him a lot.
4. Caring for your rabbit’s teeth
Rabbits’ teeth grow permanently so they need to wear them down by gnawing constantly. For this reason, hay must always be available for them, and you can also leave wood or branches available for them to gnaw on to entertain themselves.
Also, various toys for rabbits will help your bunny to gnaw constantly.
5. Sterilization in rabbits
The castration or sterilization of rabbits is very important because it eliminates the risk of uterus cancer (there is an 80% risk of females contracting this type of cancer) or testicular cancer.
In addition, it also prevents aggressive or marking behaviors, especially in males, which can cause problems within the family. In females, it avoids psychological pregnancies.
And of course, to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Rabbits can have from 3 to 10 bunnies per litter and at least 4 litters per year, since gestation, parturition and lactation last about 87 days. These rabbits will need specific care to survive, but even if you take good care of them, some of them may die and many don’t want to go through this scenario.
Likewise, for economic reasons, many people prefer to spay or neuter their pets so as not to give them up for adoption because they cannot take care of them properly.
6. Exercise for rabbits
Daily exercise of at least 2 to 3 hours is necessary to avoid health problems like obesity. However, some rabbits can have sedentary habits for a long time, so it will be necessary to stimulate and encourage them to exercise.
You will have to set up a large space for your rabbit to exercise. It could be some rooms with obstacle courses for them to jump and run around. Also, if you have a garden you can adapt it to make it safe, that is to say, escape proof and without elements that could hurt him.
7. Education and training for rabbits
Rabbits are quite intelligent and can be trained with positive reinforcement to learn tricks such as sitting, approaching, or walking in a harness (which would be helpful for walking and exercising).
Training sessions should be short and you can use pieces of fruit or a portion of the food your pet really likes as a reward, so they will stay motivated and attentive to the commands you want to teach them.
On the other hand, focus first on simple tricks, such as coming, giving you a kiss, high-fiving, or turning around, and then you can increase the difficulty as he learns. You can also use the clicker, a tool used for training by making a small click (sound) so that your rabbit will more easily associate the reward and this sound with the trick to be performed.
8. Entertainment and games for rabbits
On the other hand, for your rabbit not to get bored at home alone or as a complement to stimulate physical and psychological exercise, you can get various toys to keep him busy.
For example, chewing toys to wear down their teeth, or interactive toys for climbing and digging: activities that rabbits love to do.
- Balls: easy to get and can entertain your rabbit as he will chase them, you can even teach him to bring the ball to play with him.
- Tunnels: they can come in different colors and lengths, your rabbit will love to go through it and hide inside.
- Interactive toys: as well as interactive toys for dogs, these will help your rabbit develop his intelligence, they come in different forms, but the purpose is to stimulate your pet to solve small problems to get snacks.
- Chewing toys: rabbits love to chew, so these types of toys are perfect for them; they will also help them to keep their teeth healthy.
9. Bed or Cage?
It will depend on your rabbit’s and your preferences. You can place a bed wherever you prefer in your house. There are different types of beds such as mattresses, cushions, or covered beds where your pet will feel more comfortable and safe,
On the other hand, if you can afford the space, you can have a rabbit enclosure that is a kind of very large cage where your pet will be able to move easily. You can put his bed there or use it when you leave him at home alone with some toys.
If you have a rural house or a very large yard or garden, your rabbit or rabbits could sleep outside. However, you should put up a fence to prevent your pets from exploring too far and getting lost.
Likewise, they should have a roof or house that allows them to shelter from the cold and rain, and of course, where they can have their food and drink.
10. Affection
Finally, they also need your attention and affection. These animals can be very affectionate and cuddly, depending, of course, on their personality and how much they trust each person.
Rabbits can be a little defensive at first, considering that they may see you as a threat, but to gain their trust just approach them carefully and put yourself at their level, you can lie down on the floor and give them snacks or play with them gently.
Is a rabbit the best pet choice?
Rabbits can be great companions if you take the time to train them and give them what they need.
And you already know everything a rabbit needs to have a good quality of life, so don’t wait any longer and welcome a rabbit into your home.
